Production and characterization of biocompatible nanofibrous scaffolds made of β-sitosterol loaded polyvinyl alcohol/tragacanth gum composites

Electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tragacanth gum (TG) were used to develop nanofibrous scaffolds containing poorly water-soluble β-Sitosterol (β-S). Different concentrations and ratios of the polymeric composite including β-S (10% wv− 1) in PVA (8% wv− 1) combined with TG (0.5 and 1% wv− 1) were prepared and electrospun. The synthesis method includes four electrospinning parameters of solution concentration, feeding rate, voltage, and distance of the collector to the tip of the needle, which are independently optimized to achieve uniform nanofibers with a desirable mean diameter for cell culture. The collected nanofibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD measurements. A contact angle measurement described the hydrophilicity of the scaffold. MTT test was carried out on the obtained nanofibers containing L929 normal fibroblast cells. The mechanical strength, porosity, and deterioration of …